Water guns and water emitting target

ABSTRACT

A game toy including a plurality of water gun units to be aimed by different players toward a central device, which device is adapted to be turned to different positions about an axis by water streams from the units and which in those different positions directs water back toward the players respectively.

United States Patent [19] Lack 1 Oct. 22, 1974 1 WATER GUNS AND WATEREMITTING TARGET [76] Inventor: James E. Lack, 1828 Thelborn, Apt.

No. 15, West Covina, Calif. 91722 [22] Filed: Aug. 13, 1973 [21] Appl.No.: 388,327

[52] 11.8. C1. 273/101, 272/1 B, 273/105.2, 273/1 R, 46/91 [51] Int. ClA63b 71/02 [58] Field of Search 273/101, 102.1 R, 102.1 C, 273/l02.l G,105.2, 1 R; 272/1 B; 46/1 E, 91, 6

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,752,156 6/1956 Washburn273/101 Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-MarvinSiskind Attorney, Agent, or Firm-William P. Green [57] ABSTRACT A gametoy including a plurality of water gun units to be aimed by differentplayers toward a central device, which device is adapted to be turned todifferent positions about an axis by water streams from the units andwhich in those different positions directs water back toward the playersrespectively.

14 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION DESCRIPTION OFTHE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference first to FIG. 1, l have shown inthat This invention relates to an original water toy to pro- 5 Figure 3assembly embodying the invention and vide amusement and recreation totwo or more players.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A toy embodying the invention includes aplurality of water guns or other water emitting units adapted to bemanipulated and controlled by different players in a manner directingdifferent streams of water toward a predetermined target structure. Thistarget structure is itself adapted to emit water back toward theplayers, and is actuable between different conditions in which the wateremitted by the target is aimed at the different players respectively.The change in condition of the target is controlled remotely by thestreams from the players guns, in accordance with the manner in whichthose guns are manipulated by the players. The object of the game is foreach player to so control his gun as to actuate the target to aim waterat the other player or players and get them wet.

Structurally, the target may be a simple rotary structure, mounted toturn about a preferably vertical axis relative to a supporting base, tovary the direction of emission of water therefrom. The players may belocated at different positions about the rotary axis of the target,desirably at diametrically opposite locations when only two players areinvolved. The base on which the target is mounted may be a waterconducting structure, having a tubular swivel connection to the targetto permit its rotation while conducting water thereto. The differentguns held by the players may also receive water from this same base,desirably through individual flexible hoses. In the presently preferredarrangement, the base is itself supported stationarily in fixed positionby means of a projection extending downwardly from the base andinsertible into the ground.

The target may be shaped to represent a person, desirably having a mainessentially planar portion and a pair of arms projecting outwardlytherefrom to present target surfaces in different planes forfacilitating movement of the target by the water streams from the guns.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING cluding a central water emitting targetunit 10 mounted for pivotal movement relative to a supporting base 11about a vertical axis 18. Two or more players 12 control the rotarymovement of unit 10 by appropriately aiming individual water streams 17from separate water guns l3, fed by flexible hoses 14. The central unit10 also emits water, in the form of a stream 19 which is preferablyhorizontal and perpendicular to axis 18, and which travels far enoughfrom the axis to reach the players and get them wet when appropriatelyaimed. The number of these players is preferably two, located atessentially diametrically opposite sides of the target and its axis, asshown. The stream 17 from each gun 13 has sufficient force to reach therotary unit 10, but can not reach the other player or his gun. The waterfor all three of the streams 17, 17 and 19 is delivered to base 11through a garden hose 15 or the like connected to a valve controlledwater outlet 16.

As seen best in FIG. 4, the base 11 may take the form of a hollow bodyforming and containing an inner chamber 25 for fluid conduction.Attached to the underside of base 11 is a rigid projection of supportingpost 20, which extends downwardly along axis 18, and

O is pointed at its lower end 21 for insertion into the ground 26 in arelation mounting base 11 stationarily above the ground. Post 20 may beconnected to base 11 in any appropriate manner, as by reception of theupper end of the post within a downwardly facing socket 111 on base 11in a tight friction fit relation.

Base 11 may be essentially a three way T typestructure, forming at itsleft side as seen in FIG. 4 a female internally threaded annular fitting22 centered about-a horizontal axis 24 normal to axis 18. Fitting 22opens into hollow chamber 25 in base 11, and is connectible to aconventional male externally threaded fitting 23 of fluid tight sealwith the two flexible hoses 14 inserted The above and other features andobjects of the invention will be better understood from the followingdetailed description of the typical embodiment illustrated in theaccompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective representation of a game toy assemblyconstructed in accordance with the invention;

therein. The hoses may be retained against removal from these openingsin any suitable manner, as by cementing them in place, retaining them bytight frictional engagement in the openings, providing enlarged flanges114 at their inner ends as shown, or other suitable means. The waterguns 13 are attached to, and receive water from, the remote outer endsof the flexible hoses 14. These guns contain inner passages 113 leadingthe water to tubular nozzle structures 213 formed at the ends of the gunbarrels and shaped to emit the narrow directional streams 17 which areaimed toward element 10. It is contemplated that guns 13 may either beconstructed to emit water continuously so long as water under pressureis supplied to the toy, or to allow the players to turn streams 17 onand off under the control of valves 313 in the guns controlled bytriggers 413. It is also contemplated that water emitting units ornozzle structures of other types may be substituted for the illustratedgun-shaped parts 13 if desired.

For mounting target unit rotatively to base 1 1, the latter has anexternally threaded upwardly projecting fitting portion 31 at its top,communicating with chamber and'centered about axis 18, and carrying aninterrially threaded cap 32. Cap 32 and a vertical downwardly projectingtube 33 of the rotary unit 10 form together a swivel connection throughwhich water is delivered'to unit 10. For this purpose, cap 32 has atubular internally cylindrical portion 34, centered about vertical axis18 and rotatably receiving tube 33. To confine the tube against axial orvertical movement, the tube is fitted with two vertically spaced annularflanges 35 near its lower end, whose distance apart is essentially equalto the length of the downwardly directed tubular portion 34 of cap 32.The external diameter of the outer cylindrical surface of tube 33 isapproximately equal to the diameter of the internal cylindrical surfaceof cap portion 34. The tolerance of these parts of the swivel structureshould be small enough to provide a good water seal at the swivelconnection, but large enough to allow free rotation of tube 33essentially about axis 18.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the central rotary target unit 10 includesthe discussed water tube 33 and an attached structure 36 which ispreferably in the form of a mans head and arms. The lower portion oftube 33 may be secured to the bottom of structure 36 by passage throughan opening 39 formed in a horizontally turned position 40 of thestructure. Except at the locations of the portion 40 and arms 38,structure 36 may be essentially flat and planar, lying essentiallywithin a vertical plane 118 which is parallel to and desirably veryclosely proximate to (or may contain) main axis 8. Above opening 39,tube 33 may extend upwardly along the backside of structure 36,preferably to the location of the mouth of the man represented bystructure 36. At that point, tube 33 has a right angle bend 44 to extendforwardly through an opening 41 in structure 36, and form a nozzle 45which emits the narrow directional stream 19 essentially normal to theprimary plane 118 of structure 36.

Structure 36 can of course vary greatly in form. In the arrangementtypically illustrated in the figures, it is in the form of a mans headand outstretched arms as mentioned. The arms, or portions of the arms,may in this case be formed as two forwardly extending typically planarparallel projections 38, spaced equal distances from axis 18 at oppositesides thereof. These arms may lie in planes which are vertical and areperpendicular to the main portion 37 of structure 36. The outer ends ofarms 38 may form circular essentially planar hands 46 of the structure.

In placing the toy in use, the players first mount the central structurein an appropriately open area by forcing post 20 downwardly into theground, and then connect inlet fitting 22 of base structure 11 to asource of pressurized water through hose 15. The players take theirpositions at opposite sides of unit 10, as shown in FIG. I, and aimtheir guns toward unit 10. Nozzle 45 of unit 10 continuously emits thestream 19 radially and horizontally outwardly from axis 18, at alocation spaced a short distance d above ground level, and far enough toreach the players and guns and get the players wet when unit 10 is inappropriate rotary settings. The object of the game is for each playerto so manipulate his gun and aim its stream 17 as to cause unit 10 toaim its water jet toward the other player and get him wet.

The essentially planar character of the bulk of unit 10 and its Figure36, combined with its essentially normal arm portions 38, form a numberof surfaces facing in different directions upon which the streams ofwater from the players nozzles can exert force. The silhouette visibleto each player in each position of structure 10 is great enough to allowhim to effectively influence the direction of the water stream emittedby structure 10. The capacity of unit 10 for free and unrestrainedrotation about axis 18, and the relatively great moment arm of forcesexerted at its extremities, insures a fastmoving game with little chanceof total dominance by one player over another.

I claim:

1. A game toy comprising:

a plurality of units to be positioned at different first locations andadapted to be controlled by different players respectively and operableto emit individual first streams of water from said locations toward apredetermined other location;

a remotely controlled water emitting target structure to be positionedessentially at said other location; and

means mounting said target structure for rotary movement betweenpositions in which it aims water generally toward said different unitsrespectively;

said target structure having a portion positioned to be hit by saidfirst streams in a manner causing rotary movement of said structurebetween said positions of aim toward said two units respectively inaccordance with the control of said first streams by the players. I

2. A game toy as recited in claim 1, in which said means mount saidtarget structure to turn about an essentially vertical axis between saiddifferent conditions of aim toward said units respectively; and in whichsaid units are adapted to be held by the players at different positionscircularly about said axis.

3. A game toy as recited in claim 1, in which said mounting meansinclude a swivel connection mounting said remotely controlled targetstructure for said rotary movement and conducting water to said targetstructure for emission therefrom.

4. A game toy as recited in claim 1, including flexible conduits fordelivery of water to said units respectively.

5. A game toy as recited in claim 1, in which said means include amounting structure connectible to a source of water and mounting saidtarget structure for said rotary movement and supplying water thereto.

6. A game toy as recited in claim 1, in which said means include amounting structure connectible to a source of water and mountingsaidtarget structure for said rotary movement and supplying waterthereto, and flexible conduits conducting water from said mountingstructure to said units respectively.

7. A game toy as recited in claim 1, in which said units are shaped aswater guns.

8. A game toy as recited in claim 1, in which said mounting means have adownwardly projecting portion insertible into the ground to support saidmounting means therefrom.

9. A game toy as recited in claim 1, in which said target structure hasa main portion lying essentially within a generally vertical plane; saidmeans mounting said target structure to turn about a generally verticalaxis lying approximately within said plane.

10. A game toy as recited in claim 1, in which said target structure isconstructed to represent a person, and said portions thereof include armportions projecting in approximately a common direction at spacedlocations.

11. A game toy as recited in claim 1, in which said mounting meansinclude a water conducting mounting structure connectible to a source ofwater, a swivel connection mounting said target structure to saidmounting structure for rotation about a generally vertical axis betweensaid different conditions of aim and constructed to conduct water tosaid target structure for emission therefrom toward said units, said toyincluding flexible conduits for conducting water from said mountingstructure to said units respectively.

12. A game toy as recited in claim 11, in which said mounting structurehas a post portion projecting downwardly therefrom and insertible intothe ground to support said mounting structure therefrom; said unitsbeing shaped to represent guns, said target structure being shaped torepresent a person and having a main portion lying generally within avertical plane, said portions of the target structure including two armportions projecting outwardly from said plane at an angle thereto atlocations spaced in opposite directions from said axis.

13. A game toy as recited in claim 1, in which said units include valvemeans controllable by said players to turn said first streams of wateron or off.

14. A game toy comprising:

a plurality of units to be positioned at different first locations andadapted to be controlled by different players respectively and operableto emit individual first streams of water from said locations toward apredetermined other location;

a remotely controlled water emitting structure to be positionedessentially at said other location and operable in different conditionsto aim water generally toward said units respectively; and

movable target means at essentially said other location, positioned tobe hit and actuated by said first streams, and operatively connected tosaid water emitting structure in a relation actuating it between saidconditions of aim toward said two units respectively in accordance withthe control of said first streams by the players.

1. A game toy comprising: a plurality of units to be positioned atdifferent first locations and adapted to be controlled by differentplayers respectively and operable to emit individual first streams ofwater from said locations toward a predetermined other location; aremotely controlled water emitting target stRucture to be positionedessentially at said other location; and means mounting said targetstructure for rotary movement between positions in which it aims watergenerally toward said different units respectively; said targetstructure having a portion positioned to be hit by said first streams ina manner causing rotary movement of said structure between saidpositions of aim toward said two units respectively in accordance withthe control of said first streams by the players.
 2. A game toy asrecited in claim 1, in which said means mount said target structure toturn about an essentially vertical axis between said differentconditions of aim toward said units respectively; and in which saidunits are adapted to be held by the players at different positionscircularly about said axis.
 3. A game toy as recited in claim 1, inwhich said mounting means include a swivel connection mounting saidremotely controlled target structure for said rotary movement andconducting water to said target structure for emission therefrom.
 4. Agame toy as recited in claim 1, including flexible conduits for deliveryof water to said units respectively.
 5. A game toy as recited in claim1, in which said means include a mounting structure connectible to asource of water and mounting said target structure for said rotarymovement and supplying water thereto.
 6. A game toy as recited in claim1, in which said means include a mounting structure connectible to asource of water and mounting said target structure for said rotarymovement and supplying water thereto, and flexible conduits conductingwater from said mounting structure to said units respectively.
 7. A gametoy as recited in claim 1, in which said units are shaped as water guns.8. A game toy as recited in claim 1, in which said mounting means have adownwardly projecting portion insertible into the ground to support saidmounting means therefrom.
 9. A game toy as recited in claim 1, in whichsaid target structure has a main portion lying essentially within agenerally vertical plane; said means mounting said target structure toturn about a generally vertical axis lying approximately within saidplane.
 10. A game toy as recited in claim 1, in which said targetstructure is constructed to represent a person, and said portionsthereof include arm portions projecting in approximately a commondirection at spaced locations.
 11. A game toy as recited in claim 1, inwhich said mounting means include a water conducting mounting structureconnectible to a source of water, a swivel connection mounting saidtarget structure to said mounting structure for rotation about agenerally vertical axis between said different conditions of aim andconstructed to conduct water to said target structure for emissiontherefrom toward said units, said toy including flexible conduits forconducting water from said mounting structure to said unitsrespectively.
 12. A game toy as recited in claim 11, in which saidmounting structure has a post portion projecting downwardly therefromand insertible into the ground to support said mounting structuretherefrom; said units being shaped to represent guns, said targetstructure being shaped to represent a person and having a main portionlying generally within a vertical plane, said portions of the targetstructure including two arm portions projecting outwardly from saidplane at an angle thereto at locations spaced in opposite directionsfrom said axis.
 13. A game toy as recited in claim 1, in which saidunits include valve means controllable by said players to turn saidfirst streams of water on or off.
 14. A game toy comprising: a pluralityof units to be positioned at different first locations and adapted to becontrolled by different players respectively and operable to emitindividual first streams of water from said locations toward apredetermined other location; a remotely controlled water emittingstructure to be positioned essentially at said otheR location andoperable in different conditions to aim water generally toward saidunits respectively; and movable target means at essentially said otherlocation, positioned to be hit and actuated by said first streams, andoperatively connected to said water emitting structure in a relationactuating it between said conditions of aim toward said two unitsrespectively in accordance with the control of said first streams by theplayers.